Carolyn and Chris in Nantucket, Mass.

Theirs was no ordinary backyard home wedding. When Carolyn Wolff and Christopher Dorros married on June 25, they did so at a spectacular locale—the emerald-green lawn of her parents' house, fronting the sound on the tiny island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Wisely, they kept decoration to a minimum to showcase the magnificent setting: "We let nature create the ambience," says the bride.

The backdrop for the interfaith ceremony (she's Jewish; he's Christian) was simple: a white altar/chuppah wrapped in ivy, and lavender rose petals scattered along the grassy aisle. As ocean breezes rustled the 175 guests' wedding finery, the couple recited self-penned vows. The reception, held under an airy white sailcloth tent that let the sunlight stream in, also had a beachy New England vibe. Tables covered in blue linens were decorated with purple and green hydrangeas, freesia and hyacinths; the cutlery was sterling; the stemware, crystal. The party centered around Nantucket bouillabaisse (lobster, swordfish, mussels), wine and dancing to a rousing R&B group.

"Chris and I had a blast, but I was really happy to find out that our family and friends had a wonderful time too," says Carolyn. And how jubilant was the bride? "I was smiling so much the whole day, my sister was worried my face would hurt!" –Nancy Mattia

Our Favorite Things

Children Will Listen: Both sets of parents took an active role in the ceremony by offering their hopes and advice during the service.All in the Family: Chris's godmother, Christiane Corbat, an artist and sculptor, officiated. "She had no previous experience," explains Carolyn, "but she's very spiritual, and we really wanted someone we knew to marry us."

A Tsk-It: The flower girls were so focused on getting down the aisle that they forgot to throw the rose petals in their baskets.

Jazzed Up: Louis Armstrong recordings played a major role in the wedding: The processional song was his version of "La Vie en Rose," "Cheek to Cheek" was used for the recessional and for their first dance, the newlyweds chose "A Kiss to Build a Dream On."

Time to Get on Board: Who says New Englanders are reserved? This crowd unleashed their inner groovsters when the band kicked in. Says the bride, "I was very surprised to look up at one point and see two of my parents' friends leading the "'Love Train!' "